5 Myths About Solar Panels

The solar panel market is full of myths, because people either dive nose-deep into it or they avoid it like the plague. Over time, the smart homeowner becomes wiser and ultimately starts to question whether all the bold claims are true.

From winter inefficiency to roof damage, there’s plenty to set straight before you can respectfully look at solar panels. All the misconceptions fueled by myths come from a lack of clarity; people will visualize mentally and form a conclusion instead of finding out more first.

So let’s get to the bottom of some of the more common myths about solar panels, starting with these five bogus claims:

1. “Solar Panels Are Useless in the Winter”

Solar panels don’t seem to hold up well in the cold and snow, so homeowners in Colorado might be worried at first. However, this post from November will help remove all your fears — check it out: How Do Solar Panels Perform During Winter?

Ultimately, running solar panels in the winter months is not a problem. The winter weather does little to interfere; your biggest threat is heavy snowfall. But it would take inches caked on your roof to start causing serious efficiency issues.

Don’t forget, you need the sun out for its light — not to absorb the heat it produces. The sun’s distance during the winter is further, which can lower efficiency a little. However, you’ll be perfectly fine with the right solar panel system.

So the preconceived notion that solar panels are a waste in the winter is completely inaccurate. There’s no justification, especially in Colorado, where heavy snowfall is only a periodic occurrence and we get 300 days of sunshine across all four seasons.

2. Maintaining Solar Panels Is Hard Work

This couldn’t be any further from the truth. There’s much less in the way of maintenance work than you’d expect, as the biggest chore is cleaning off dirt a few time a year. Heavy snowfall should also be removed if it doesn’t clear up naturally.

To clean your panels, simply use a hose and wash with water. Do it when the sun isn’t out, either in the morning or evening, to prevent the water from cracking your panel while it’s hot.

While maintenance is no big job, it’s still important you know how to take care of your panels properly. Learning some tips for solar panel maintenance should give clearer insight on the subject.

3. Solar Panels Cause Roof Damage and Decay

Another crackpot theory among solar energy doubters is the belief that solar panels will damage your roof to the point of decay. In fact, there are even horror stories of panels crashing down into high-rise apartment buildings in other parts of the country.

This is just another reason to understand why you must have the panels installed by a trusted solar panel company. If the job gets done wrong, the panels might shift, and this can lead to roof damage.

The risk gets reduced when you use a railing system to mount the panels in place. It keeps the system on your roof without requiring a full installation. This means your roof isn’t decaying like you’d think; secretly, your panels are keeping part of your roof clean and untouched.

4. Don’t Install Solar Panels If It Hails

A bizarre piece of logic floating across the web suggests that you avoid using solar panels where it hails often. Unfortunately, there’s a bit of truth to this, as damage can occur to panels during serious hailstorms.

This threat is real in Denver, where hail can get as large as golf balls. It shouldn’t stop you from turning to solar energy, though, as there are workarounds. It would be a good idea to read up on solar panels and hail damage to get a full understanding on this subject.

Ultimately, your best bet will be to get a protective cover. It will help in the winter months too, when the heavy snowfall hits. If you don’t get a cover and hail does cause serious damage, you should still have the repair covered by your home insurance provider.

5. There’s No Financial Incentive to Switch

There are many reasons to consider switching to solar energy, from the environmental factors to the long-term cost savings. The idea that going solar involves a large upfront cost is an absolute myth.

Anyone looking to make the switch should first look at all the solar savings available to Colorado homeowners.  Most homeowners go solar for no upfront cost and no-money down. They simply switch from paying the utility for their power to paying off a solar loan. Additionally, homeowners can also claim the Solar Investment Tax Credit (SITFC), which gives you access to a 30 percent tax credit.

Solar energy adoption is occurring at a miraculous rate, and it’s changing how people see the alternative energy source. Many years ago, there were few homeowners who took the time to do research. Now that home solar panels can compete with traditional utility rates, it’s officially time to switch. If you think it’s the right move, contact us to learn more.